Hookwood House, Surrey

For the roof build up, the brief was expanded to include floor joists to the two first floor bays, additional wind bracing to prevent racking as well as the frames for two dormer windows in the cat-slide roof and the inclusion of ‘sprockets’ all around the roof at eaves level.  The benefit of this last ‘extra’ gives the impression of a traditional roof build up, pleasing the planners, but allowing the building envelope to remain unbroken and thereby meeting modern building regulations on cold-bridging.

Other features include renewable energies in the form of air source heat pumps, wood burning stoves and rainwater harvesting.  The house is also constructed under the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The main focal point of the project was the full height glazed entrance.  This caused the biggest problem with the planning application, as there were initially objections to it.  At over seven metres at the apex, the sheer height required two single 6.5m posts – something that took the sawmill a while to find the suitable structural grade to take the load that these members were designed to carry.  The finished glazing created a stunning effect, allowing the full height of the timber frame to be seen both externally and internally at this new contemporary build.